Question

If a parent calls the office asking for advice because her child has just swallowed some house cleaning supplies, which of the following would be the most appropriate step to take to handle this call?

a) Instruct the parent to induce vomiting immediately
b) Advise the parent to bring the child to the emergency room
c) Suggest the parent give the child milk to neutralize the chemicals
d) Provide the parent with the number for the Poison Control Center

Answer 1

In the event a child ingests household cleaning supplies, the best advice is to provide the parent with the number for the Poison Control Center for expert guidance, rather than taking immediate actions such as inducing vomiting or giving milk.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a parent calls the office asking for advice because her child has just swallowed some house cleaning supplies, the most appropriate step to take to handle this call is d) Provide the parent with the number for the Poison Control Center. It's crucial not to induce vomiting or give milk without knowing the specific substance ingested as it might worsen the situation. The Poison Control Center will provide immediate, expert guidance on what to do next. Depending on the substance and the amount ingested, they may recommend going to the emergency room as the safest approach.